Mating compatibility of wild and sterile melon flies, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) treated with entomopathogenic fungi

Abstract

Field cage tests were carried out to determine the mating compatibility of sterile and wild melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), males that were treated or not treated with entomopathogenic fungi. The melon flies were irradiated at 70 Gy, and the adults were treated with dry conidia of either Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) or Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff) Sorokin 1 day before the mating test. Our results demonstrate that sterile melon flies treated with either B. bassiana or M. anisopliae showed mating compatibility with the wild flies. Inoculation of the flies with the fungi did not significantly affect the mean time of copulation (323–567 min) as compared to mating involving only wild flies (407–518 min). Treatment of the flies with either B. bassiana or M. anisopliae did not significantly affect the propensity of mating. Wild females mated indiscriminately with sterile, sterile B. bassiana‐treated or sterile M. anisopliae‐treated males. Irrespective of the treatment combinations, mean percentage remating was significantly higher for sterile females with sterile males (7.72–27.12%) as compared to wild females with sterile males (0.76–14.90%). The possibility of using sterile melon flies as vectors of the entomopathogenic fungi to enhance an SIT programme is discussed.

Pathogenicity of three formulations of Beauveria bassiana and efficacy of autoinoculation devices and sterile fruit fly males for dissemination of conidia for the control of Ceratitis capitata

“…This new approach to disperse fungal conidia among conspecifics is simple, economical, and effective, and it has been proposed against the tsetse fly ( Glossinia spec.) (Maniania & Ekesi, ) and other species of fruit flies (Toledo et al., ; Sookar et al., ; Navarro‐Llopis et al., ). Population suppression is based on horizontal transmission between wild flies and fungal inoculated males, using disseminator devices or sterile male vectors (Dimbi et al., ; Navarro‐Llopis et al., ).…”

Integration of Entomopathogenic Fungi into IPM Programs: Studies Involving Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) Affecting Horticultural Crops

“…Significant control of the red palm weevil R. ferrugineus was reported [ 188 ] and the sexual competitiveness of sterile males was not reduced by sterilisation when compared to non-sterile males [ 291 ]. The combination of the sterile insect technique (SIT) with EPF has also been tested on fruit flies including Mexican fruit fly ( Anastrepha ludens ) [ 21 ], Mediterranean fruit fly ( Ceratitis capitata ) [ 19 ], melon fly ( Bactrocera cucurbitae ) [ 20 ], and peach fruit fly ( Bactrocera zonata ) [ 292 ]. The sterile insect technique alone or used in combination with EPF has shown potential for safe and selective pest control, but, since sterilisation may have a negative impact on sexual competitiveness [ 21 ], further research on optimising sterilisation procedures is needed for each species being targeted.…”

“…Their popularity stems from their potential to control a wide range of insect pests [ 13 , 14 ] and their suitability for organic and sustainable crop production [ 15 ]. In addition to their direct impact on insect pests, EPF have also been reported to act as endophytes within host plants [ 16 ], can be integrated with attractants for attract-and-kill pest management approaches [ 17 , 18 ], and can be combined with sterile males for integration with the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Entomopathogenic fungi may also have synergistic interactions with some beneficial arthropods (predators, parasitoids, pollinators) [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], other entomopathogens (bacteria and nematodes) [ 25 , 26 ] and synthetic insecticides [ 27 , 28 ] that could be exploited within IPM programs on various crops.…”

Biology, ecology, behavior, host status and management of invasive and native fruit flies of Europe, Africa and the Middle East

“…There is an additional paper (Sookar et al. ) that presents an interesting approach regarding the management of B. cucurbitae (an invasive species in Africa and the Indian Ocean region). Three papers present interesting experimental results regarding the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata , that seems to be a continuous issue for fruit fly workers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.…”

“…Indeed, 3 of 9 papers address scientific questions regarding B. invadens (B. dorsalis group), including behavioural and physiological aspects of the oviposition decisions (Migani et al 2013), demographic traits (Salum et al 2013) and determination of non-host status for bananas (Cugala et al 2013). There is an additional paper (Sookar et al 2013) that presents an interesting approach regarding the man-agement of B. cucurbitae (an invasive species in Africa and the Indian Ocean region). Three papers present interesting experimental results regarding the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata, that seems to be a continuous issue for fruit fly workers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.…”